The Church of England’s decisions about women bishops are likely to have a major impact on its mission as well as its ministry, says Savi Hensman. If the church appears to be reluctant to accept and fully use women’s gifts, attempts to attract and involve more people across a wide age-range may be undermined.

Three former Anglican bishops were ordained as Roman Catholic priests on Saturday 15 January at Westminster Cathedral – the first bishops to join Rome under a new structure set up by Pope Benedict XVI for dissident Anglicans.

Unequal treatment of women undermines the whole church’s calling to care for the needy and challenge the world by witnessing to the possibility of a new way of life in which none are exploited or marginalised, says Savi Hensman, and she examines the latest machinations around women's ministry in the Church of England.